Letter – Henry Richmond to Christopher Johnson – 8 Dec 1764

To Mr Chris[tophe]r Johnson Attorney at Law                     Newcas[tle] 8th Decemr 1764

in Durham.



Sir    Sir W[alte]r Blackett has some parcels of copyhold Land near Woodcroft in the parish of Stanhope which are held of the Top according to the custom of the Halmot Court of Wolsingham; to which copyholds one Dr John Smith was admitted Tenant on the 20th Augst. 11th year Ann. & the description of the said parcels is as follows.

One parcel of Land called Bitchlaw next Woodcroft and one close called Rideing and also one parcel of Land containing by estimation six Acres of Land lying on the South side of the tenement or close called Beedburn als Bedburn extending towards the waste of the Lord called Bollihope, upon the surrender of Sir W[illiam]m Blackett B[arone]t.

To hold to the said Dr Smith & his sequels in right etc I desire you will be so good as let a search be made whether these estates were ever surrendered back again to Sir W[ilia]m Blackett or any in trust for him; and if you meet with any such thing that you will send me a copy of it as soon as you conveniently can.

At the same time please also to let a search be made whether there has been any surrender since 22nd Aug[u]st 2nd Geo[rge] 2nd of two acres of Land parcel p[art] [o]f twenty acres of Land leading from a certain place call Hall Pasture Nook and descending towards a place called White Ridge and from thence to a place called Brownley hills and so on to the South of Hall burn and a parcel of Land called Hot burn Sheals towards Stanhope burn with a Lead Mill called Stanhope hope Mill and all other Edifices & structures built upon the premises with all ways waters water courses passages Librties privilidges profits & comodities to the said Mill belonging. Which premes were then surrendered by Sir W[ilia]m Blackett & Ralph Featherstone to Lancelot Allgood to hold to the said Lanc[elo]t Allgood & his sequels also.

The expence attending these searches you will place to Sir W[alte]r Blackett’s Acco[un]t till an opportunity offers of discharging it. I am etc.   Hen Richmond